Razor blade and holder



Feb. 20, 1934. w G ADAMS 1,947,633

RAZOR BLADE AND HOLDER Filed April 13, 1931 .2 z? 7 72 g) Q J8 21 7?" J8 817 a Patented Feb. 20, 1934 RAZ BK LADE William GsAdams, Richmondgva;

Application April; 13;, 1931;; SerialzNoa 52.8a8151 17 Claims.

threaded stud extending through a hole in: the,

body and received within a threadedsocketin a' handle. Furthermore the cap is customarilyprovided either withstuds or longitudinally extending-ribs'p'assing; through holesor slots-in the lade and body-for the purpose of'centering or positioning the blade properly so that-,the cutting edges thereof will be at the proper location with respect to the guards formedonthe edges of the body to insure the proper cutting action; An objection to the presenttype of blade, whichv is initially flat throughout until flexed, is that it is dificult to pick up when laid upon the fiat smooth top of a washstand, table or thelike; Moreover as such an ordinary" blade will contact throughout-its area with the fiatsurface upon which it may be placed it will not dry off after; washing as water will be confined betweenit and the supporting surface and the result is that the lade will rust.

It is with the above and other facts in view that I have-devised the present invention which has for its general object the provision of a novel blade and holder therefor, the combination defining a razor having improved characteristics.

An important object of the invention is to provide a holder and blade having coacting means for centering or properly positioning the blade without reliance upon the usual studs provided for thepurpose, the centering means beingentirely independent or irrespective of such, studsuser to purchase the special blades which-form part of the combination and, conversely, to provide a blade which cannot be used with the ordinary holders on the market but which. requires one of special construction.

A very important object of the invention is to provide a blade having means thereonwhich will positively prevent itfrom lying fiat upon a wash stand or otherdsurface, therebyinsuring drying of the studs which project from the-cap insomeafter washing and avoiding the rustingnwhich would otherwise invariably, occurunless theblade be made o tome ru t-proofma e i Still another objectof the invention is to provide-a-razor blade in--=whiclr=the means for preventing-' =it* from-lying flat will also" serve A as a finger grip enabling-it to be readily picked up and manipula-tedwithout danger of cutting the fingers or inj-ury--to-cutting= edges:

A more specific object of theinvention' is to" provide the combination of a -blade-with project ingp0rti0ns thereonforthe-purpose set forth; and aholder ha-vingmeans cooperating with saidprojectionsto eifect=- proper positioning" of the blade between the parts -of-theholder.

A furthenobject is to:'provide-- a= blade-and holder-Jcombination-inwhich the-latter may embody aiper-manentl y pivotally I or flexibly-connected 2 cap and body'i ora. bodily detachable -=cap, it I being possible. in the first instance-to havethe blade carried byand movable--with the cap or placed initially upon the body' itself; whichever is preferred, the latter-"method being resorted to in the case of the second mentioned type'of holder.

An additional object is--toprovidea construc tion and arrangement of this character whichwill be-simple and-inexpensiveto-'make,- easy to use, positive inaction eflicientand durable inservice; and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment or the-foregoing and other object-sand advantages-,-the invention preferably consists in'the details-of construction and the arrangement and combination ofparts tobe hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in" which: I

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a'holderof the hinged cap type showing it constructed for use-- with my novel bla'de,-- I

Figure 2 is aplan view of the blade-alone showing the preferredform thereof,"

Figure 3 is anend'viewof theblade;

Figure 4 is a sideelevation thereof,

Figureb'is a. planvie'w of-a blade embodying'a slight modification,

Figure 6 is an :end View thereof;

Figure '7 I is a side or edge =view.

In'carryingout the'preferred form of the invention,--I provide ablade 10 having longitudinal cutting edges 11 andacentralhole 12 for the passage of the screw or-threadedpost which is ordin'arily carried-by-the=cap=of theholder. The blade -is also shown as formed. with other holes 13 which are for the accommodation or passage typesof. holders. :7 Even 7 if 1 the hold'er be: unprovidedqwithzsuchistuds the holes113 as well as the hole 12 will operate to reduce the stiffness of the central portion of the blade so that it may flex more readily. In Figure 2 the ends of the blade are shown as curved but it will be understood that this is merely a matter of design and not any material feature.

The outstanding characteristic of the blade shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 is the provision at both ends thereof of means which will prevent it from lying flat upon any surface and which will also serve as a finger grip to facilitate handling. This means comprises lugs 14 arranged in pairs and projecting from the blade, the lugs at one end projecting from one side and those at the other end projecting from the opposite side. These lugs may be very simply formed by slitting the ends of the blade along inclined or diagonal lines 15 and then bending or. striking out the material between these lines and other lines 16 which extend longitudinally of the blade between the inner ends of the slits 15 and the ends of the blade. The lugs 14 are consequently triangular in shape. Single lugs could be used.

As a modification, I may provide the blade 17 shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, this modified blade having longitudinal cutting edges 18, a central hole 19, and other holes 20 at opposite sides of the central hole. This form of blade differs from the form above described in that the pairs of lugs 21 which project from the blade are differently defined. These lugs may be formed simply by slitting the end portions of the blade at the longitudinal center line, making transverse cuts 22 and then striking out the material. The lugs 21 of course extend longitudinally and are in spaced parallel relation with one pair projecting from one side of the blade and the other pair projecting from the opposite side. The difference between this arrangement and the one first described is that in the second form there is no metal between the lugs and they are of rectangular shape. However, both forms will operate or will be capable of use in identically the same manner.

Clearly, a blade constructed in either of the two alternative ways disclosed thus far could not be used with an ordinary holder as it is obviously necessary to modify the latter in order to accommodate the lugs 14 or 21. It is one of the objects of the invention to provide a razor or holder and blade combination in which the holder may be formed as disclosed in my co-pending application for patent for Safety razors, filed March 25, 1931, Serial No. 525,274. While said application will naturally speak for itself, it might be Well for the sake of clearness to mention at this point that the razor disclosed therein, or at least one form 7 thereof, embodies a body with a cap connected thereto by means of spring pressed arms. In order that the present application may stand entirely upon its own feet I have, in Figure 1, illustrated a holder constructed as in said copending application. Referring to this figure the numeral 23 designates the body or guard to each end of which is pivoted, at 24, a link 25 to which is pivoted at 26 the cap 27 which is provided centrally with a threaded post or screw 28 adapted to pass through a hole in the body or guard and to be received within a threaded socket in the handle 29 which is swivelly connected with the underside of the body or guard. The arms 25 are pressed upwardly by leaf springs 30, which are anchored at one end to the body and at the other end to the arms, the purpose being to maintain the arms and consequently the cap in elevated position or in spaced relation to the body when the handle 29 is rotated to effect disengagement of the threaded post or screw 28. The purpose of maintaining this spaced relation to the cap is to permit it to be swung back or into open position without danger of the edge of the blade engaging against the body, it being a feature that the blade will remain in position against the cap owing to its engagement with the threads in the post.

In order that the blade shownin Figure 2 or Figure 5 may be employed in a holder of this type, I form the arms 25 and cap 27 with notches 31 and32, respectively, which will receive the lugs 14 or 21 and which will therefore operate to centeror position the blade properly with respect to the body 23 and cap 27. Of course the hole 12 or 19 will accommodate the threaded post 28. The usual centering posts are not provided in a holder constructed as shown in Figure l and the holes 13 therefore are idle though of course they exercise their function of rendering the intermediate portion of the blade more flexible. As the lugs 14 or 21, as the case may be, are preferably of greater length than the thickness of the arms 25 the end portions of the body or guard 23 are disclosed as similarly notched as at 33, the notches 31 and 33 registering when the arms 25 and cap 27 are drawn down into clamping position with the blade interposed between the cap and the arms and body. It might be mentioned that if the arms 25 are relatively wide or thick and the lugs 14 or 21 comparatively short it'will not be necessary to provide the notches 33 as they may be provided only in the arms 25. It will be observed that While each arm and each end of the cap is shown as provided with a relatively long or wide notch it is just as feasible to provide two separate notches for the reception of the individual lugs 14 or 21, if such be preferred for any reason.

In the use of my blade in connection with the type of holder shown in Figure 1 it will be apparent that it is optional with the user whether he engages the blade upon the threaded post 28 When the cap is in released and open position as shown or lays it in position upon the body and arms. In fact the second mentioned procedure is preferable as there will then be no possibility of accidental slipping or derangement of the parts though if the lugs 14 or 21 be long enough they will engage within the notch 32 at one end or the other of the cap. The blade having been placed in position at either location preferred, the cap 27 is swung down so that the post 28 will be in alinement with the socket in the handle 29. Slight pressure is then applied to the cap while the handle is rotated to draw the threaded post into the threaded socket and the cap is thus brought into clamping relation to the blade. The

lugs 14 or 21 at one end of the blade will be accommodated within the notch 32 in one end of the cap while the lugs at the other end of the blade will be received within the notch 31 in one arm and in the notch 33 in the corresponding end of the body, if the notch 33 is found to be necessary. Clearly the blade cannot shift in any position owing to the cooperative relation between the lugs and notches.

In view of the fact that the blade is flexible and is bowed into concavo-convex form when it is 1,;

clamped between the parts of the holder, it is to be readily seen that the lugs 14 or 21, as the case may be, will be caused to diverge at the convex side of the blade and to converge at the concave side. This is a great advantage inasmuch as that can be followed as I may resort to prevent displacement of the blade when the pairs of lugs are engaged within the recesses provided for their-reception in the holderparts the lugs on the convex sidehavin'g' a tendency to diverge will engage frictionally against the Walls of the recess within which they are ac-* commodated. If spaced recesses were to be' 'provided'for the reception of the lugs those at the concave side would grip against the walls of the recesses. Naturally this greatly increases the holding action and still more positively i-nsures proper positioning.

My novel blade is not limited to use in connecthe blade and each pair projecting from an oppo- :1 i in .1 e:.. s l 4 In combination, a razor structure comprising: a holder embodying mfovablyconnected'parts and guiderheans'thereoriand a flexibleiri itiallyf flair blade interposed" between said parts? and} tion with a holder such as that shown in co-pending application and in Figure 1 of' the drawing as it is capable of employment in association with a holder of a common or conventional pattern though necessarily modified -to-a certain extent which will be explained. Furthermore'the' precise lug arrangement or formation shown in Figures 2 and 5 is not the only'plan conceivable variations.

From the foregoing description and a studyof the'drawing it will be apparent that I have thus provided a very simple arrangement and construction and combination of holder and blade which will adequately perform all the functions for which it is intended. It is believed that from the foregoing the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I' have shownand described the preferred embodiments of the invention, it-should'be understood that the disclosure is merely an other exemplifi'cation'of the principles involved asthe rightis reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of;

utility and increase the adaptability of the device 1 provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit or" the invention or the scope'oif the'claims hereuntoappended. a

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a razorstructure comprising a holder embodying relatively movable parts, and

a normally flat flexible blade interposed between thereoff I 5. In combination, a razor struci ;ure comprising a holdereinbodying'movably connected pans; and a'fle'xible blade interposed betweeris'aid parts, the parts of the holder being provided withgu'id; studs n formed c th; ecess me he a v having openings receiving the'studs'for enacting preliminary positioning and being providedf'withj pairs of flexible proj ections fitting within i said recesses toeffect positioningwithrespjectjto the holder irrespective 'ofthe'studs and openingsiand;

to prevent displacement of theblade in anydirec tion, the projections extending from the'foppo sides of the blade to prev'entithe same from I fiat upon a supporting surface andtherebyrna tain the blade edges out ofcontact' with such surface. V

6-. In combination, a razor structure comprising a holder embodyingn ovablyconnectedparts and a'flexible blade interposedbetweerisaidparts,"

the parts of the holder cooperating to Tfiex the'j and adapted to be flexed by said parts, the parts of-the' holderbeing formed in their ends with 5 recesses andthe blade having pairs of integral projections fitting within said recesses to effect positioning with respect to the holder and to direction.

2.'In combination, a razor structure comprisin any ing a holder embodying relatively movable parts and a flexible blade interposed between said parts,

. and flexed thereby when in operative position for shaving the parts of the holder being formed at their ends in their confronting faces with recesses and the blade having pairs of flexible projections at its ends fitting within said recesses to effect positioning with respect to the holder and to prevent displacement of the blade in any direction, the projections having their edges abutting against the walls of the recesses.

3. In combination, a razor structure comprising a holder embodying relatively movable parts and a blade adapted to be interposed between Said parts and to be flexed thereby, the parts of the holder being formed at their ends, between the corners, with recesses and the blade having pairs of integral flexible projections fitting within said recesses to effect positioning with'respect to the holder and to constitute sole means for preventing displacement of the blade in any direction, the projections being located at the ends of blade and being formed witlrrecess'es pairs'of projections atitsfends'fii ii fwithin said recesses to effect positioningwit'h respect'to the holderand to preventfdisplacement of the blade t d esnsi id c m eme and eblade havin many direction, the pairs ofpro'jections exitend 12g ing fromf the opposite sides oi'the blade wer vent the same from; lying lfiat upon I a supporting surface andiurther serving'as finger "grips to fac' itate picking up theblade from a supporting L I f .--.v\.1

7, In combination with a holder formed of reb y. nn ed ensr q me i at e iends. with recesses a bl'ade'adapted to be flexedby" said -parts providednt itsfen'ds with lugsffitting within said recesses with respect to the holder, the lugs at eaeh ens being arranged in pairs'proje'cting' in"the same" direction and the pairs at the respective ends projecting from opposite sides of the blade, the

pair at the convex side of the flexed blade spreading apart to grip the side walls of the recess.

8. In combination with a holder formed of movably connected parts formed at their ends with recesses, a flexible blade adapted to be flexed by said parts provided at its ends with lugs fitting within said recesses for positioning the blade with respect to the holder, the lugs at each end being arranged in pairs projecting in the same direction and the pairs at the respective ends projecting from opposite sides of the blade, each pair of projections serving to prevent the blade from lying flat and also constituting finger grips for facilitating handling, the pairs at the convex and concave sides of the flexed blade mov- 150 W r positioning t ig- .1130

ing outwardly and inwardly respectively when the blade is flexed.

9. In combination with a holder formed of movably connected parts formed at their ends with recesses, a flexible blade provided at its ends with lugs fitting within said recesses for positioning the blade with respect to the holder, the lugs at each end being arranged in pairs projecting in the same direction and the pairs at the respective ends projecting from opposite sides of the blade, each pair of projections serving to prevent the blade from lying flat and also constituting fingers grips for facilitating handling, all of said projections being formed as outstruck lugs and those at one side of the blade diverging and those at the other side converging when the blade is flexed.

10. In combination with a holder formed of movably connected parts formed at their ends with recesses, a flexible blade provided at its ends with lugs fitting within said recesses and constituting the sole means for positioning the blade with respect to the holder, the lugs at each end being arranged in pairs projecting in the same direction and the pairs at the respective ends projecting from opposite sides of the blade, each pair of projections serving to prevent the blade from lying flat and also constituting finger grips for facilitating handling, all of said projections being formed as outstruck lugs located at opposite sides of the longitudinal medial line of the blade, and one pair spreading outwardly for gripping the sides of the recess when the blade is flexed.

11. In combination with a holder formed of movably connected parts formed at their ends with outwardly flaring recesses, a blade provided at its ends with pairs of lugs fitting within said recesses with their edges abutting opposite walls thereof for positioning the blade with respect to the holder, the lugs at each end projecting in the same direction and the pairs at the respective ends projecting from opposite sides of the blade, each pair of projections serving to prevent the blade from lying flat and also constituting finger grips for facilitating handling, all of said projections being formed as outstruck lugs located at opposite sides of the longitudinal medial line of the blade, said lugs being of triangular shape with their wider ends outermost.v I 12. In combination, a razor structure comprising a holder embodying movably connected parts and a flexible initially and normally flat blade interposed between said parts to be flexed thereby when in shaving position, the parts of the holder being formed at the ends with recesses and the blade having pairs of spaced projections at'its ends fitting within said recesses to effect positioning with respect to the holder and to prevent displacement of the blade in any direction, the material of the blade being cut away inwardly from the ends at the sides of the projections to counteract the stiffening effect thereof.

13. A flexible razor blade provided at its ends with pairs of laterally deflected lugs, the lugs at the respective ends extending in opposite directions, the pair at the convex side of the blade when the blade is flexed spreading apart and being adapted to grip against recess walls in a holder.

14. A razor blade provided at its ends with laterally extending lugs, the lugs being arranged in pairs and those at the respective ends projecting from opposite sides of the blade, there being openings between the lugs extending clear to the ends.

15. A razor blade provided at its ends with laterally extending lugs, the lugs being arranged in pairs and those at the respective ends projecting from opposite sides of the blade, the lugs being struck out from the material of the blade and being of triangular shape with their wider ends outermost and adapted to have their edges abut against the bottom of recesses in a holder and to have their outer sides frictionally engage the side walls of such recesses.

16. A thinflexible razor blade adapted to be flexed between razor parts when in shaving position, said blade being formed with a pair of outstanding spaced lugs, the distance between the ends of said lugs, or the angle lying between them, tending to change as the curvature of the blade changes during flexing of the blade between razor parts, said lugs being adapted to cooperate with the razor parts for effecting relative positioning of the blade with respect to the razor parts.

17. A razor blade of the thin flexible double edged type provided between its center and each end with a pair of outstruck lugs, the lugs of each pair being located at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the blade, one pair of lugs projecting beyond one side only of the blade and the other pair projecting only beyond the opposite side, said lugs being adapted to cooperate with razor parts for effecting positioning of the blade with respect thereto, also serving as finger grips and additionally constituting means for preventing contact of the cutting edges of. the blade with a surface upon which it may be laid.

WILLIAM G. ADAMS. 

